A significant part of treating addiction is ensuring that you don’t relapse. The key to relapse prevention is being prepared. This is why many addiction treatment facilities, like Solution Based Treatment, offer relapse prevention therapy to assist with learning skills to deal with triggers that can tempt those struggling with addiction to use again.
Going from the structure of an addiction treatment facility back to a home environment riddled with triggers can be a challenge. This makes it even more challenging to stick to a recovery plan, avoid relapse, and maintain recovery. At Solution Based Treatment, our addiction therapy programs can make your sober living program a success.
What Is Relapse Prevention Therapy?
Relapse prevention therapy is actually a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically for clients who need extra assistance in recovery to avoid cravings and the risk of relapse. In general, CBT is an evidence-based therapy that teaches people dealing with addiction to pay closer attention to their emotions to help deal with what triggers their addictions. Relapse prevention therapy focuses on four main feelings that can trigger a relapse: bored, hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. Through therapy, you’ll learn how to be more aware of these feelings and how to deal with them when they happen.
The Phases of Relapse
It is commonly recognized that the phases of relapse are:
- Emotional – This first stage is often the least recognizable. While the person isn’t actually thinking about using again, they start to engage in destructive behaviors that lead to relapse. These behaviors include self-isolation, avoiding responsibilities, not attending support groups, and not acknowledging any of these behaviors.
- Mental – Reminiscing about your life while you were addicted to drugs or alcohol is never a good idea. If someone struggling with recovery starts romanticizing that part of their life and forgetting its destructiveness, then there is a problem arising. Relapse is now a significant risk.
- Physical – The most obvious of the stages, this is where you see the person struggling, actively using drugs or alcohol again.
There is no hard and fast timeline for when relapse can occur. While it is more likely to happen in the first few months of recovery, a relapse often occurs when a person starts to feel a sense of security and thinks they don’t need to continue with their recovery plan. A relapse prevention plan is also an integral part of relapse prevention therapy. Each plan is unique and customized to the individual.
Each relapse prevention plan should include:
- Clear goals
- Self-assessment and reflection
- A structured support network
- Why you quit abusing drugs or alcohol
- How you will address cravings and triggers
- An accountability partner who knows your plan
Relapse Prevention Therapy at SBT
The best chance you have for recovery is to have a plan. At SBT, the treatment team will help you work through what is making it difficult for you to stay on track with your recovery. In addition to developing an individualized relapse prevention plan, this type of therapy teaches you relapse prevention techniques. Sessions also include:
- Redefining relapse
- Focusing on triggers
- Designing coping mechanisms
Contact SBT to Learn More About Relapse Prevention Therapy
When you suffer from substance use disorder, the priority is to rid yourself of the toxic substance. However, staying clean and not being tempted to use again can be a real challenge. To meet this challenge, our Solution Based Treatment team offers a relapse prevention program. Having a plan and being prepared can be the difference between falling victim to triggers and achieving lifelong recovery.
You aren’t in this struggle alone. The team of treatment professionals at SBT is here to guide you along your journey, and your peers who are going through similar experiences are here for support and understanding. Call us today at 833.999.1941 or complete our online form to learn how a relapse prevention program can set your recovery up for success.
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